Meng Calls for More Federal Money to Address Flooding in Queens

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In her continuing efforts to combat flooding in Queens, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she called for more federal money to address the problem.

Last year, President Biden signed Meng’s legislation to help mitigate local flooding by authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers – in working with the City of New York – to spend nearly $120 million on upgrading environmental infrastructure in the borough.

Last week, Meng testified before a key congressional committee where she asked for the funding to be increased to $250 million.

"We all remember how flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida devastated Queens,” said Meng. “Lives were lost, property was severely damaged and storms since then have resulted in additional flooding. I’m grateful that the President signed my legislation into law last year but with these storms occurring with greater frequency, it is clear that more resources are needed in order to be better prepared. From upgrading our sewer systems to improving storm water management, this extra money would go a long way to further addressing the problem, and I look forward to fighting for these dollars in Congress.”

Click here to see the video of Meng testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. The text of the Congresswoman’s testimony is below.

 Meng made her remarks during the Subcommittee’s Members Day hearing where Members of Congress testified about the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the bill that funds water infrastructure projects across the country.

Meng’s legislation that was signed into law last year, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, allows the Army Corps to spend the money to address the problem of flooding, and Congress must now allocate the funding for it so the Corps can move forward with needed improvements.  

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Meng Testimony: “I am honored to share with you all my priorities as the Committee considers reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, that will support the safety and wellbeing of my constituents in Queens, New York.

Two years ago, I testified in front of this Committee about the horrifying impacts that Hurricane Ida had on New York City. The storm sadly took the lives of 13 New Yorkers, many of whom were my constituents. I told the Committee about how New York’s 100+ year-old stormwater system is unable to keep up with increasingly powerful and frequent storms that cause deadly flooding and economic damage to Queens. And now I sit before you in 2024, which will mark the 3-year anniversary of Ida, to inform you that Queens is still at risk from these storms.

In Queens, we view terms like “100” or “500-year flood” with skepticism because we know from experience that these storms are occurring with greater frequency. A year after Ida, many of my constituents who were still recovering from storm damage were again hit by horrific flooding. During the storm, the City of New York sent out an emergency alert advising people who live in basement apartments to move to higher floors. And even in the two weeks before Ida, Tropical Storm Henri broke the existing record for rainfall in the city. I can go on, but the evidence is clear: these storms are occurring with greater frequency and New York City is not prepared.

In the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, I was proud to secure a $119 million authorization for Queens. And now, I’m asking for that authorization to be increased to $250 million in the 2024 Reauthorization. This would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $250 million to work with the City of New York in upgrading environmental infrastructure in Queens. This could fund projects that directly address the devastating flooding my constituents face and to help save lives.

Thank you again for your time and consideration of this matter. I ask that the Chairman and Ranking Member consider my request for inclusion in this year’s WRDA reauthorization to protect the people of Queens. Thank you.”